;
for he durst not write to the commodore without this previous notice,
fearing that the young gentleman, as soon as he should get an inkling of
the affair, would follow the example, and make his uncle acquainted
with certain anecdotes, which it was the governor's interest to keep
concealed. Peregrine was of opinion that he should spare himself the
trouble of conveying any complaints to the commodore; and if questioned
by the master, assure him he had complied with his desire: at the same
time he promised faithfully to conduct himself with such circumspection
for the future, that the masters should have no temptation to revive
the inquiry. But the resolution attending this extorted promise was too
frail to last, and in less than a fortnight our young hero found himself
entangled in an adventure from which he was not extricated with his
usual good fortune.

CHAPTER XVII.

He is concerned in a dangerous Adventure with a certain
Gardener--Sublimes his Ideas, commences Gallant, and becomes acquainted
with Miss Emily Gauntlet.

He and some of his companions one day entered a garden in the suburbs,
and, having indulged their appetites, desired to know what satisfaction
they must make for the fruit they had pulled. The gardener demanded
what, in their opinion, was an exorbitant price, and they with many
opprobrious terms refused to pay it. The peasant, being surly and
untractable, insisted upon his right; neither was he deficient or
sparing in the eloquence of vulgar abuse. His guests attempted to
retreat; a scuffle ensued, in which Peregrine lost his cap; and the
gardener, being in danger from the number of his foes, called to
his wife to let loose the dog, which instantly flew to his master's
assistance, and, after having torn the leg of one and the shoulder
of another, put the whole body of scholars to flight. Enraged at the
indignity which had been offered them, they solicited a reinforcement
of their friends, and, with Tom Pipes at their head, marched back to
the field of battle. Their adversary, seeing them approach, called
his apprentice, who worked at the other end of the ground, to his
assistance, armed him with a mattock, while he himself wielded a hoe,
bolted his door on the inside, and, flanked with his man and mastiff,
waited the attack without flinching.

He had not remained three minutes in this posture of defence, when
Pipes, who acted as the enemy's forlorn hope, advanced to the gate with
great